Snuffbox
Category
Wooden objects
Date
1769
Materials
Gilt, Lead, Mulberry
Measurements
43 x 100 x 67 mm
Order this imageCollection
Smallhythe Place, Kent
NT 1119063
Summary
Lead lined bombe shaped carved Mulberry wood snuff box having a gilt metal hinge, and plaque on inside of lid inscribed 'This box was carved from a piece of the mulberry tree planted by the hand of Shakespeare at Stratford on Avon during the Jubilee there in 1769. D. Garrick Esq presented this box to Thos. Hull Esq. founder of the Theatrical Fund. He left it by will to Jno Richards Esq the Celebrated Artist to CG (Covent Garden) Theatre and from his widow it came into the hands of Mr. I. Field 1815. Shakespeare Nat. 1564 ob. 1616'. The sides are carved with a stylised vine motif, the lid carved with Shakespeare's crest and a portrait head below, the base carved with a diaper pattern design. (With a coat of arms in the centre of the front, possibly Shakespeare's). Presented by Phyllis Neilson-Terry. (The container box for this is NT/SMA/V/63, in fitted cupboard NT/SMA/F/20 in Terry Room, on bottom shelf E).
Provenance
D. Garrick presented this box to Thomas Hull, the founder of the Theatrical Fund. He left it by will to John Richards the celebrated artist to Covent Garden Theatre. From his widow it came into the hands of Mr. I. Field in 1815. Presented to Smallhythe place by Phyllis Neilson-Terry.
Marks and inscriptions
THIS BOX / was carved from a piece of the / Mulberry Tree planted by the hand / of Shakespeare at Stratford on Avon, / during the Jubilee there in 1769 / D.Garrick Esq. presented this Box to / his friend Thos Hull Esq. founder of the / Theatrical Fund. he left it by Will to Jno Richards / Esq the Celebrated Artist to CG Theatre, / and from his Widow it came in to the / Hands of Mr I. Field 1815. / Shakespeare Nat. 1564 Ob. 1616. (engraved on plaque on inside lid)